Assembly District 24 voters have an intriguing choice in the primary to replace Rich Gordon, who is termed out after representing the district very well since 2010.

Two Democratic attorneys with very different backgrounds — Palo Alto City Councilman Marc Berman and patent lawyer Vicki Veenker — stand out in a strong field. Berman is the best choice because of his experience in elected office and his potential to shape state education policy, a leadership role for which he has methodically and thoughtfully prepared.

Berman’s intelligence and grasp of issues shines in interviews. He is exceptionally well prepared for the Assembly, having served as development director of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for nearly two years and immersed himself in education policy questions crucial to the Valley’s future. (He also shattered fundraising records for the foundation.)

Veenker is endorsed by former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and the powerful California Teachers Association. But Berman has the support of school reformers. He is more likely to bring about change.

Serving his first council term, Berman is chairman of the finance committee, prepares thoroughly for meetings and is a strong advocate for investment in housing and infrastructure. But it’s clear that his education work is his passion.

Veenker has never held public office. She established the now defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league and has served as board president of the Silicon Valley Law Foundation, which offers free legal services to low-income clients and does policy work at the state level on issues such as payday lending. She has studied up on state issues, and she’s very smart. She might be terrific in the Assembly, but we’re more confident of Berman.

There are six other candidates for this seat, and that raises a complication. It’s likely that only one Democrat will be in the fall runoff, and whoever that is will almost certainly win in the fall.

Menlo Park City Councilman Peter Ohtaki, the only Republican in the field, is highly regarded and likely to capture most Republican votes and some independents’. This could propel him into the runoff as other candidates divvy up the rest of the vote. But a Republican has virtually no chance in November: The district stretching from Pescadero to Atherton is overwhelmingly Democratic. That means voters may essentially be choosing Gordon’s successor June 7.

Another prominent candidate is veteran Mountain View Councilman Mike Kasperzak. He is well-qualified, with valuable experience in transportation and other Valley issues.

Also running are Mountain View City Councilman John Inks, a Libertarian, Cupertino’s volatile Mayor Barry Chang and two perennial candidates, Sea Reddy and Jay Cabrera.

Assembly District 24 voters have an intriguing choice in the primary to replace Rich Gordon, who is termed out after representing the district very well since 2010.

Two Democratic attorneys with very different backgrounds — Palo Alto City Councilman Marc Berman and patent lawyer Vicki Veenker — stand out in a strong field. Berman is the best choice because of his experience in elected office and his potential to shape state education policy, a leadership role for which he has methodically and thoughtfully prepared.

Berman’s intelligence and grasp of issues shines in interviews. He is exceptionally well prepared for the Assembly, having served as development director of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for nearly two years and immersed himself in education policy questions crucial to the Valley’s future. (He also shattered fundraising records for the foundation.)

Veenker is endorsed by former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and the powerful California Teachers Association. But Berman has the support of school reformers. He is more likely to bring about change.

Serving his first council term, Berman is chairman of the finance committee, prepares thoroughly for meetings and is a strong advocate for investment in housing and infrastructure. But it’s clear that his education work is his passion.

Veenker has never held public office. She established the now defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league and has served as board president of the Silicon Valley Law Foundation, which offers free legal services to low-income clients and does policy work at the state level on issues such as payday lending. She has studied up on state issues, and she’s very smart. She might be terrific in the Assembly, but we’re more confident of Berman.

There are six other candidates for this seat, and that raises a complication. It’s likely that only one Democrat will be in the fall runoff, and whoever that is will almost certainly win in the fall.

Menlo Park City Councilman Peter Ohtaki, the only Republican in the field, is highly regarded and likely to capture most Republican votes and some independents’. This could propel him into the runoff as other candidates divvy up the rest of the vote. But a Republican has virtually no chance in November: The district stretching from Pescadero to Atherton is overwhelmingly Democratic. That means voters may essentially be choosing Gordon’s successor June 7.

Another prominent candidate is veteran Mountain View Councilman Mike Kasperzak. He is well-qualified, with valuable experience in transportation and other Valley issues.

Also running are Mountain View City Councilman John Inks, a Libertarian, Cupertino’s volatile Mayor Barry Chang and two perennial candidates, Sea Reddy and Jay Cabrera.

Assembly District 24 voters have an intriguing choice in the primary to replace Rich Gordon, who is termed out after representing the district very well since 2010.

Two Democratic attorneys with very different backgrounds — Palo Alto City Councilman Marc Berman and patent lawyer Vicki Veenker — stand out in a strong field. Berman is the best choice because of his experience in elected office and his potential to shape state education policy, a leadership role for which he has methodically and thoughtfully prepared.

Berman’s intelligence and grasp of issues shines in interviews. He is exceptionally well prepared for the Assembly, having served as development director of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for nearly two years and immersed himself in education policy questions crucial to the Valley’s future. (He also shattered fundraising records for the foundation.)

Veenker is endorsed by former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and the powerful California Teachers Association. But Berman has the support of school reformers. He is more likely to bring about change.

Serving his first council term, Berman is chairman of the finance committee, prepares thoroughly for meetings and is a strong advocate for investment in housing and infrastructure. But it’s clear that his education work is his passion.

Veenker has never held public office. She established the now defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league and has served as board president of the Silicon Valley Law Foundation, which offers free legal services to low-income clients and does policy work at the state level on issues such as payday lending. She has studied up on state issues, and she’s very smart. She might be terrific in the Assembly, but we’re more confident of Berman.

There are six other candidates for this seat, and that raises a complication. It’s likely that only one Democrat will be in the fall runoff, and whoever that is will almost certainly win in the fall.

Menlo Park City Councilman Peter Ohtaki, the only Republican in the field, is highly regarded and likely to capture most Republican votes and some independents’. This could propel him into the runoff as other candidates divvy up the rest of the vote. But a Republican has virtually no chance in November: The district stretching from Pescadero to Atherton is overwhelmingly Democratic. That means voters may essentially be choosing Gordon’s successor June 7.

Another prominent candidate is veteran Mountain View Councilman Mike Kasperzak. He is well-qualified, with valuable experience in transportation and other Valley issues.

Also running are Mountain View City Councilman John Inks, a Libertarian, Cupertino’s volatile Mayor Barry Chang and two perennial candidates, Sea Reddy and Jay Cabrera.